Teens learn African dance, drumming in Marquette summer program

El Saniyyah Love is excited about connecting with the culture of her forefathers through an African arts “camp,” where she spent part of the summer studying dance and drumming. Love and 12 other young women participated in the second annual summer program at the Helfaer Theatre on the Marquette University campus.

“You learn a culture that most of our people missed out on,” Love said, referring to Americans of African descent.

Yaya Kambaye, founder and musical director, and Roxy Kess, artistic director and choreographer, of Xalaat Africa Drum and Dance For Life, Ltd., taught the five-week dance intensive. The summer program culminated in a performance on July 29.

In addition to traditional African dance and drumming and contemporary African and modern dance, the students also learned songs and phrases in the Manding language. Manding is one of the languages spoken in Senegal, Kambaye’s native country.

Kambaye moved to the U.S. in 2003 but he and Kess visit Senegal from time to time to research dance and keep up with current dance trends there. Spending time in Senegal replenishes Kess, she said, enabling her to give more to her students.

A two-part special report on the demise of South Side taverns by NNS reporter Edgar Mendez won a gold award in the “online hard feature” category at the Milwaukee Press Club’s annual Awards for Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism. Former NNS reporter Naomi Waxman won the bronze award in the same category for her special report on barriers to reproductive health.

How To …

“I’m bored!” This is a phrase that parents often hear from their children during the summer months. A variety of free and affordable summer camps and programs are available throughout the city to help solve the problem.